PACKERS (4-4) VS. TITANS (4-5)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M., NISSAN STADIUM, NASHVILLE uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 711
Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin
About the Packers: It has been three years and a broken collarbone for QB
since coach club has been .500 in the second half of the season. Rodgers’ feverish fourth-quarter comeback attempt Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts couldn’t erase the early hole the Packers dug in a 31-26 home defeat. Afterward, Rodgers lamented “a lack of juice,” seemingly an indictment of McCarthy’s inability to get his club ready. It yielded a game-opening 99-yard kickoff-return TD from which it never recovered, plus a long touchdown drive before halftime for the second consecutive week. Other problems that have plagued the Packers regularly are an uneven offensive showing, lack of a fourth-quarter pass rush and a lack of bodies at cornerback and running back.
Second-year quarterback accounted for four touchdowns during his club’s 43-35 road loss to the San Diego Chargers. But his three giveaways amounted to 17 points for the Chargers, none more costly than a fumble — his fourth one lost this season — with his team driving for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter. On a day the Colts leapfrogged coach
squad in the middling AFC South, Tennessee likely must think it fumbled a golden opportunity for a momentous road upset. Tennessee also was run over by Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, yielded a season-high 208 rushing yards and committed costly penalties.
Matchup to watch: Packers run defense vs. Titans RB DeMarco Murray: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had two interceptions in the Packers’ loss to the Colts.
He’s on his third team since running roughshod, but also losing a costly fumble, against coordinator group in the Dallas Cowboys’ NFC divisional round loss in January 2014. Murray’s 807 rushing yards lead the AFC. DT and ILB spearhead the NFL’s top run defense.
Player to watch: Packers S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: Lost in Green Bay’s home letdown was one of Clinton-Dix’s best performances:
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
two interceptions, two passes defensed and half a sack. Green Bay’s rangy safety could be asked to cover Tennessee’s best playmaker in the passing game, TE
Tennessee has surrendered a league-high seven return touchdowns, including a fumble return and a picksix last weekend.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Third down: Green Bay and Tennessee rank second and third, respectively, in thirddown offense. But Rodgers’ group converted a season-low four of 12 Sunday. Coordinator
Titans defense, in the middle of the pack on third downs, uses a lot of zone. Will it apply more man coverage against a Packers receiver corps that’s failing to separate?
2. Not special teams: Green Bay, which fell to 31st in kick coverage after allowing a touchdown a week ago, is familiar with the Titans’ returner, former Chicago Bear
the NFL’s No. 4 kick returner. Tennessee has improved since changing specialteams coordinators but must remain on guard against Packers returner Trevor Davis.
3. Marked Mariota: Mariota generally fares well against the blitz, a popular device for Capers, although it was ineffective a week ago. Tennessee’s offensive line is rock solid, but Capers must find a way to get home while preventing Mariota from doing damage as a runner, as other athletic quarterbacks have against Green Bay in recent years. The potential return of OLB could help.
Arthur Arkush